Adventures in Meeting Shadows

Yesterday, my husband Karl and I headed out just before 6 am for Ravenna, NE which was directly under the moon for maximum totality of the solar eclipse. We left in the middle of a thunderstorm and drove though several more severe storms as we headed for Nebraska. Amidst the thunder, lightning and driving rain, I wondered if we would even be able to see the eclipse at all. Still, I was excited about the adventure even if our experience meant being under clouds or rained on as the eclipse continued its dance above. No matter what we experienced, I knew the 5 1/2 hour drive there was worth every second to me.

As we got closer to Nebraska, the rains got lighter and eventually stopped. On our way, we pulled into a rest area along the interstate. Much to our surprise, it was completely full. Tents were even set up for overnight campers. Karl had no choice but to drive our truck onto the grassy median to park. People of all ages were packed-in with their lawn chairs, telescopes and cameras all set up and ready to watch the eclipse. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and had the feel of a carnival. It was adorable and worth the trip alone.

Once in Ravenna, NE Karl pulled into a lot that had piles of sand and gravel all over it. There were dozens of other eclipse viewers already there. People had RV’s, trailers, tailgating tents and one gentleman was grilling away on his huge gas grill set up in the back of his pickup truck.

Karl setup our zero gravity chairs, camera and we got our glasses ready just ahead of the start of the eclipse. Soon Karl shouted for all close enough to hear, “It’s started!” We were mesmerized watching as the sun crept behind the moon, and as the moon covered the sun the light dulled and the air got noticeably cooler. When twilight arrived and the eclipse reached totality, a spontaneous cheer erupted from the crowd. It was exhilarating. We stayed to watch as the sun continued to overtake the moon and crept out from behind it. Finally we headed home in the thick stream of traffic. This unique experience made it all worthwhile.

Now let’s look at what the eclipse means at an energetic level.

Solar eclipses are known as powerful transits that bring about major beginnings and endings which help us to purify and transform. A solar eclipse is literally the Moon’s shadow on the earth’s surface. Eclipses invite us to meet our shadow self and as you can see from what is going on today politically, it also invites us to meet our collective shadow. Our shadow needs to be met in order for us to find healing through a new level of understanding. In the United States, this is the first total solar eclipse that will be visible from certain places coast to coast in just shy of 100 years.

As the sun and the moon align, the focus is on purifying places of held pain and struggle (the shadow) to free yourself to live a life you love. This is a perfect time to reset your circuitry and to release beliefs, stories and ideas that no longer serve.

There is no one on this planet that is more important or more lovable than you. This also goes for everyone else on this planet too. There is no hierarchy in humanity. Even when you act out of fear, the truth remains that you are love, whether you are remembering or experiencing it or not. This goes for others too. Knowing this helps you to see yours or others actions from a place of Truth. Please don’t ever consider someone else better than you, or consider yourself better than someone else, as doing so is simply a projection of your monsters (held beliefs, fear, pain and struggle) so you can avoid looking within.

You are creating a new reality for yourself. Consider speaking the following words from your heart often:

“I surrender to all life offers with an open heart.
I accept life in the form it is delivered.
I ask to see and know Truth in my life through all my senses.
I ask to clear fear, hatred, rejection, disappointment from my being
so I may see and radiate Love for myself and others.”

Eclipses are cosmic reminders that light and dark (yin and yang) are both part of the dance within your evolution. There are no winners or losers in the dance, only endless change. Know and enjoy the Love that you are!

About the author: Rita Henry, founder of Inner Prosperity in Des Moines, Iowa, is an intuitive counselor who has helped thousands of people live more joyful, authentic lives. Rita’s unique approach combines powerful energy work, Qigong, meditation, and breath-work to help clients heal the mind, body and spirit. Rita provides essential, unwavering support through individual sessions and a wide range of group-centered classes, workshops and retreats.